"Gonzalez could be solid with the stick, but should be at least 'very good' with the glove. Alex Gonzalez, along with Mike Lowell, Mark Loretta, and Coco Crisp, becomes the latest player to leave a pitcher's park for the friendly dimensions of Fenway Park. I would not at all be surprised to see him put up something along the lines of a .277/.330/.430, with 12-17 homeruns, 70+ RBI, and over 70 runs scored. Perhaps it's community projection time? One scouting report had this to say:

"'(Gonzalez) has very good bat speed when healthy, and is one of the strongest middle infielders in the game. Not a base-stealing threat. Has good hands and agility, and exceptional range to his right. Has all the tools to be a very good shortstop.'"-- Over the Monster

Coming, coming, Gonzo

"The Red Sox are just a physical away from signing Alex Gonzalez to a one year, $3 million deal [according to a report in the Boston Herald]. Compared to Renteria last season, Gonzalez neither helps nor hurts the Red Sox. He just moves the wins from the offensive side of the ledger to the defensive side. In 2005, The Hardball Times calculates that Edgar Renteria earned 11.3 wins shares with his bat, 2.7 with his glove. Gonzalez, on the other hand, earned 6.9 with his bat, 6.2 with his glove. It's clear now that when the Red Sox signed Renteria to a $10 million a year contract, they expected him to return to his mid-20's win share form. That didn't happen. So if they're going to get win shares in the low teens from their shortstop they're paying less. There will be fewer runs scored and allowed in Fenway this season.

"Now that all the maneuvering is complete, nice job by the Red Sox this off season. The refused to over pay Damon, got rid of another overpaid player in Renteria, and picked a centerfielder with some upside along the way. I don't think they're a better team, but they're very close to where they were last year, saved some money, and gave the farm system another year to develop while they stay competitive. And if you're competitive, a little luck can take you a long way."-- Baseball Musings

Courting Alex

"Alex Gonzalez better be a vacuum cleaner, because he hits about as often as Johnny Damon shuts up: never. Historically, his stat line is eerily reminiscent of Rey Ordonez'. I recall going to several Mets games way back in the glory days when Ordonez was on the squad and positively marveling at some of the balls he got to and how easy he made moderately difficult plays look. I also remember thinking that he should have been hitting ninth, the pitcher eighth, so bad was the man with the bat. The Red Sox' lineup and the DH should offer some shelter to Gonzalez, but it's imperative that he perform exquisitely with the leather. This could be an experiment that lasts about sixty games, but at least they signed him for just a year and at modest dollars. Another new face -- welcome, Alex."-- Yanks Fan vs. Sox Fan

"'Coco is a guy we had identified quite a ways back,' Epstein's assistant, Jed Hoyer, said last night. 'In September we were kind of concerned the secret was out and we weren't going to be able to get him. It was clear we were going to have a tough negotiation with Johnny, and Coco was the top guy on our list.'"

"'Coco Crisp is not Johnny Damon,' [Theo] Epstein said. 'He's his own player, and he brings his own strengths. Johnny was an outstanding, elite leadoff hitter and center fielder. It'd be unfair to ask Coco to fill those shoes.'

"'As far as Crisp playing center field, we're excited. We have excellent scouting reports and objective data on his ability to be a plus center fielder across the board.'"-- 1.29.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

"If one takes the 2006 projections in the Bill James guide, Crisp's OPS will be .790 with 13 homers; Damon's .786 with 12 homers; Loretta's is .769, compared to the combined .729 Boston had at second in 2005, and it was only above .700 because of Graffanino and Cora the last two months. Youkilis' OPS projects to be .837 with 14 homers; Millar's .802 with 13; Lowell's 782 with 16 homers (projected in Florida's park); and Mueller's .786 with 12 homers (projected in Fenway). Even Gonzalez's projected numbers against Renteria aren't so bad -- .691 with 13 homers for Gonzalez vs. .749 with 10 for Renteria. And by the defensive evaluation system used by one AL team, Gonzalez was one of the top three defensive shortstops, along with Pittsburgh's Jack Wilson and Houston's Adam Everett. Even Dustan Mohr had a .907 OPS vs. left-handed pitchers, albeit playing half his games at Coors Lite.

"'Almost every person we talked to [during their investigation of Crisp's off-field makeup] really thought he would thrive in our environment,' Hoyer said, adding a bit later: 'He's . . . got a certain energy and swagger we think will translate very well to Fenway.'

"'I wish (Crisp) the best. I don't hope negative things on anybody, but just hope that Boston fans can embrace him and make him feel as special as they made me over the four years I played there.'"

"'He is a guy they wanted. It was clear in the papers they were wanting other center fielders as soon as the season was over. The fact that my jersey went for half price after the season, that kind of tells you something. They got the guy they wanted, so I hope he enjoys it as much as I enjoyed it.'"

"'I remember my first day with the Red Sox and I could not believe how boring the team was, how boring the clubhouse was and how miserable everybody was,' said Damon. 'I like to think that I helped change how fans looked at the team, how the media looked at the team and how the team got together and it was different. How the players stopped being afraid of failing, which I think was why we were able to accomplish something that hadn't been done in a very long time. Now I want to bring that attitude to New York. You must win and you must have confidence, because if you don't have that in this city it will definitely eat you up.'"-- 1.29.06, Johnny Damon to Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune

"'When I heard it yesterday, that these guys didn't have physicals, I thought, 'What is going on!? This didn't happen on my watch, did it?' said Dr. William Morgan, the (former) Red Sox's team physician.

"'That's unacceptable. Let me put it this way, the only way to really understand what is really going on with a player or a pitcher is to put your hands on them, talk to them and physically examine them. I lend much less credence to studies than to physical examinations. This was a point of discussion between myself and the administration in regards to Pedro Martinez, for example. We had a questionable MRI, but the physical examination was perfect and the performance was perfect.

"'Any physician that does not examine a patient — I don't care if it's a professional baseball player or Joe Blow living down the street — you aren't serving your patient completely.'" -- 1.26.06, Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune

The Leaks Stop Here.Sergeant Schultz Named Special Boston Media Liaison.

Will No News Be Good News for Sox Fans?

"Let there be no doubt, by the way, that part of the new Sox compact is a determination to manage the news as much as possible.

"'I think the Patriots have had a lot of success in this market, the way they run things,' Epstein said. 'I'm not saying we're adopting all of their practices, but it's hard to quibble with their approach.'

"In that spirit, no one was saying anything about Epstein's deal, including, laughably, length of term. We're allowed to know that Lucchino signed a contract extension through 2011, but not whether Epstein is signed through next week? Next thing you know, the Sox will be describing Curt Schilling's ankle problems as a 'lower leg' injury. And the same fans who have joined Henry in condemning the media for 'leaks' will be the ones bemoaning the dearth of information about prospective trades and free agent signings."-- 1.26.05, Gordon Edes, Boston Globe

"The Red Sox are poised to announce Theo Epstein’s return as the general manager of the Red Sox, with roughly the same powers, authority and autonomy he had when he left on Oct. 31."

"...There is, according to sources both on and off the ballclub, a less complicated rationale for Epstein’s return. He has now become convinced that the work environment has improved to the point where there is more listening, more cooperation and more of an ability to compromise when there are differences."

"The team has been disinclined to hold a press conference announcing Epstein’s return, fearing a free-for-all atmosphere that would wind up making the front office’s tumultuous period of nearly three months even more of a distraction than it already has been."-- 1.24.06, Michael Silverman, Boston Herald

"'I am a center fielder and I am a leadoff hitter,' said Crisp, who entered professional baseball as a second baseman. 'As far as leading off, I've been doing it my whole life.'"

"'I was facing Pedro (Martinez) for the first time, playing my first game in Boston,' said Crisp. 'My first at-bat I hit a double off of him, almost hitting a home run. That was a fond memory.

"'But then my next at-bat I remember thinking there was no way he was going to throw another fastball, but of course he does because there is no way Pedro is afraid of Coco Crisp. I was like, man, look at him throwing that again. And he strikes me out. The game ended up getting rained out so my 1 for 2 off of Pedro was wiped out. That was too bad.'"-- 1.24.06, Coco Crisp to Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune

"Crisp came from a long line of athletes; his mother and father, Loyce, both were former Olympians (Pam a sprinter, her husband a boxer). And even his sister had entrenched herself as one of the nation's top figure skaters."

"'Like I told his dad, the way (Crisp) sprays the ball he could have 50 doubles in that ballpark,' said Fick. 'Coco is a class act. They are going to love him.'" -- 1.23.06, Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune

"According to baseball sources, the Red Sox and Cleveland Indians have agreed in principle on a deal that will bring outfielder Crisp to the Sox in a multi-player trade. The deal was agreed upon several days ago under the condition that Cleveland be able to acquire another outfielder to replace Crisp, presumably Jason Michaels from the Philadelphia Phillies."

"The Red Sox will send a package including reliever Guillermo Mota and prospect Andy Marte to the Indians. The inclusion of Mota in the deal explains why the Sox signed free agent reliever Julian Tavarez to a two-year contract despite having a bullpen that already included Keith Foulke, Mike Timlin, Mota, Rudy Seanez and, perhaps, Jonathan Papelbon."-- 01.22.06, Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald

"Crisp, if obtained, would be under the Sox' contractual control for four seasons before becoming a free agent. He's likely to command about $3 million this year and probably close to $20 million over the next four seasons, vs. the $52 million Johnny Damon will make with the Yankees.

"However, obtaining Crisp would cost the Sox their top prospect, a player widely regarded across baseball as an elite prospect with power who should be ready to play full time by 2007. The Indians, meanwhile, have 32-year-old third baseman Aaron Boone signed for this season, with a mutual option for 2007."-- 01.22.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

Rotoworld's 'Rave' Reviews

"It’s a sequence of events that may placate the media, but that doesn’t make it any less disturbing. Marte alone is worth more than Crisp, in our opinion, just as he was worth quite a bit more than Edgar Renteria. The Red Sox are giving up Guillermo Mota, too, and it's unclear what they'll be getting back along with Crisp. Gonzalez is an even bigger problem, especially if it's a multiyear deal. He's not much of an upgrade over Alex Cora, and Dustin Pedroia might be Boston's best option at shortstop by June 1." -- 1.22.06, Rotoworld

"Also yesterday, there were ongoing conversations between the Sox and Indians aimed at bringing outfielder Coco Crisp to Boston. The deal, according to a major league source, probably would cost the Sox top prospect Andy Marte and probably would include multiple players changing sides."-- 1.20.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

"After all, it was Henry who said in November that Epstein would not be returning to the Red Sox, and then indicated last Saturday that Theo was not part of the organization, which must have been a big surprise to those who had actually talked to Epstein on the phone since the New Year while under the impression that he spoke for the Red Sox.

"What we do know is that this entire episode has been much less complicated than portrayed. Forget all the heart-wrenching stories about needing life outside of baseball and the love of privacy, and ignore all the posturing that has come out of many corners of Fenway Park (Many within the Red Sox hierarchy are Democrats -- and for the purpose of full disclosure, I lean left myself -- and they are in no position to complain about the White House spin machine now, considering how much whirling they've done since Oct. 31).

"Unfortunately, there wasn't much honor or glory in Theo's comportment after he left Fenway in that gorilla suit Oct. 31. Rather, he undermined the credibility of the entire Boston front office by straddling the fence regarding his place in the organization. He repeatedly refused offers to return, but would not rule out coming back. He revealed himself to be every bit the cutthroat politician Lucchino is. He's been at best, immature and at worst, duplicitous."

"Like a character from Camelot, Theo remained forever young, forever brilliant, forever the man who brought a championship to Boston. And as long as he operated in the shadows, or allowed us to believe he was still involved, he couldn't lose. This dynamic made Theo less than popular with some of his hard-working friends in baseball operations."-- 1.20.06, Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe

"Principal owner John W. Henry, in an interview with the Globe Thursday prior to the team's formal announcement, said Epstein was ''not going to come back in a higher position" than he held before. That would seem to suggest that none of president/CEO Larry Lucchino's power would be usurped in the process of Epstein's reemergence."

"A team source close to those negotiations revealed in early November that just before resigning, Epstein examined several issues, foremost among them whether his trust in Lucchino was well placed. There also appeared to exist a divide in philosophies -- Epstein's desire to somewhat retool the club around pitching and defense and younger players even if public scrutiny was harsh, juxtaposed against upper management/ownership's apparent resolve to spend on older, established players." -- 1.20.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

From the "Take It for What It's Worth" department: WEEI's John Meterparel had a "scoop" this morning that the Red Sox were interested in Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr., who could possibly come to Boston in a trade involving pitcher Bronson Arroyo.

"New York Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon catches a football during a morning workout today at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Damon is currently preparing for spring training by working out with coach Tom Shaw at the complex. Shaw, a former Florida State University speed and conditioning coach, now provides performance enhancement training to professional athletes and those entering professional sports. Damon, newly acquired by the Yankees from the Boston Red Sox, played high school baseball in Orlando, Fla. for Dr. Phillips High School." -- The Associated Press

"The winning bid for the lineup card was $165,010, the most ever paid in an MLB auction. The winning bidder was Sky Lucas, a lifelong Sox fan who grew up in New Hampshire. A partner in New York hedge fund firm Vicis Capital, Lucas says he was surprised the lineup card was put up for sale: 'For a Red Sox fan, it's a definitive historical document.' He says he bought it not so much as an investment--though he would like to sell licensed replicas--but rather to keep it in New England. 'I'd like to share it with the rest of Red Sox Nation,' he says.

"To that end Lucas and his lawyer, David Campbell, approached Sox limited partner Sam Tamposi Jr. and later team management about putting the lineup card on display at Fenway Park. All they asked is that the team insure it while on exhibit. The Red Sox were not interested. (Tamposi and Treat did not respond to repeated requests for comment.) Says Campbell: 'I found it odd they would make such a play for the ball yet let this fall through their hands.' Mark it down as an error."-- 1.11.06, Fortune Magazine

'Tek Missing Dirt Dogs

"'Doug (Mirabelli), Kevin (Millar), Johnny (Damon) and Bill (Mueller) brought intangibles of playing hard, getting dirty and grinding out games. You appreciate playing with people like that, and you hope that it isn’t lost by whoever they do bring in.'" -- Jason Varitek, 1.17.06 Boston Herald

Shonda Schilling ran the P.F. Chang's Third Annual Rock 'N Roll Arizona Half Marathon Sunday Jan. 15 with a time of 2:07. Shonda ran for the SHADE Foundation, an official charity of the marathon and half marathon.

And A World Record is Broken

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia shattered the world record in the half marathon Sunday with a time of 58 minutes, 55 seconds. Gebrselassie lowered the mark by 21 seconds. He is pictured (in center) above with Curt, Shonda, Gabby, and Gehrig Schilling.

"The Red Sox haven't announced any deal with Theo Epstein, officially, but I heard that he has made calls on behalf of the team, indicating to others -- for now -- that he is a special assistant to John Henry. Makes you wonder what issue is holding up the formal announcement of Epstein's return." -- 1.14.06, Buster Olney, ESPN.com MLB Blog

"While in the Dominican, Shipley asked perhaps a telling question.
'He asked me if I could play left field,' said Marte. 'I told him, 'Yes.' I'm ready to play right now.'"-- 1.12.06, Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune

"This guy pitches four days in a row," Tavarez's agent Scott Boras told the New York Daily News in December. "He provides a very strong, durable arm. He can protect a closer like Wagner or Mariano Rivera. They don't need to get every save. This guy has been a save guy, and he does it at a ratio that's almost 80%. That ratio for a setup guy is very, very high. That may be very helpful to guys you want rested for the postseason."

"Pennant-winning teams are supposed to be strong up the middle, and if the Red Sox opened the season today, they would watch a lot of balls go through the hole at shortstop and others fall for hits in center field."-- 1.11.06, Murray Chass, New York Times

Announcement on Theo Soon? Manny Wasting Precious Time?

"'I said that we were going to keep a light on in the window for him,' Lucchino said Sunday. 'I didn't specify a number of days. If he wanted to come back, it would make us a better front office. I don't want to comment further until we have an announcement to make. We may have an announcement sometime soon.'"

World Series hero Curt Schilling and his wife, melanoma survivor Shonda Schilling, dropped the ceremonial first puck at the Coyotes game on Sunday, January 8 at Glendale Arena in Phoenix. The Schillings were on hand to help promote the SHADE Foundation, their charitable foundation for skin cancer awareness and prevention. The game has been designated “Skin Cancer Awareness Night with the Coyotes,” and some ticket proceeds were donated to the foundation.

"Meanwhile, Ramirez's agent, Greg Genske, told FOXSports.com Thursday night that Ramirez would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Orioles or another team, discounting Ramirez's statement to ESPNDeportes.com that he was 'staying in Boston.' ...Genske, however, said he called Ramirez after learning of the slugger's remarks, and Ramirez denied making the comments. 'If Boston is able to work out a trade with Baltimore or another team, Manny is still open to making a move,' Genske said."-- 1.06.06, FOXSports.com

"I definitely will get back into baseball eventually, where things turnyou never know." -- 1.05.06, Theo Epstein

At the Jamspot recording studio in Somerville, former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein rehearses for his upcoming gig on January 8 at the Paradise Rock Club where he will play guitar in the Sixth Annual Hot Stove, Cool Music show. The concert will raise money for the Jimmy Fund and for Theo's Foundation To Be Named Later, a branch of the Red Sox Foundation which benefits eight other charities. Epstein was rehearsing for the show at the recording studio today.

Jan. 6, 2006: Former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein took to the radio airwaves this morning, defending the Red Sox’ offseason moves and responding to the speculation that he may return to the team in some capacity.

“I really haven’t gone into all the substantive reasons why I left,” Epstein told Boston radio station KISS-108’s Matt Siegel this morning. “I think that’s probably the right thing to do, but there were reasons why I left and it was a tough decision, left a lot of great friendships, left a great organization, left a lot of work that we still had ahead of us but in the end I thought it was for the right reasons as difficult as it was.”

More comments from Epstein during the interview:

On reports that Red Sox owner John Henry was caught off guard by his resignation:

“I don’t think he was necessarily surprised because in the final days we had been talking and he certainly knew this was a strong possibility but I think he was genuinely disappointed as I was genuinely disappointed and I enjoyed, and still do enjoy, a very close relationship with him, working relationship and professional one and it was hard on both of us to see this interruption in that relationship at least from a professional standpoint. I don’t think he was shocked but I do think he was disappointed as I was.”

Would Johnny Damon be a Yankee if he were still Red Sox GM?

“Probably, given the way it’s gone down. I hate to comment on negotiations when I’m not directly involved in them but I’ll say this, I don’t think anyone’s at fault for the way things transpired. Johnny did what was best for him and his family. The Yankees, given the need they had at leadoff and in center field, did the right thing for them. They did a good job in the negotiation. And the Red Sox offered $10 million a year and really adhered to the philosophy of setting a value on a player, remaining disciplined through the course of the negotiation, a philosophy that played a large role in 95-plus wins three years in a row and as tough as it is when you lose players, as tough as it is on the fans, that philosophy will serve the fans well in the long run because it will lead to winning teams.”

Did he make a mistake in signing Edgar Renteria to a four-year contract to play shortstop for the Red Sox last winter?

“Oh yeah, I think I did based on the results in the first year. I think we got bad results the first year (but) I think the process was good. We had excellent scouting reports universally across the board excellent scouting reports on Edgar and we’d done our subjective work and our objective work on him and we thought he was a great fit for whatever reason, physically he wasn’t the same player last year that he was and I think one of the reasons the Red Sox were open to moving him was that we… they just couldn’t take the risk that that would be the way he’d play the game going forward so he certainly could bounce back and be the player that he was for the rest of his career but if he doesn’t, that would really hurt the Red Sox at a key position so that trade was in both team’s best interest. The Red Sox were able to acquire one of the top two or three prospects in the whole game in Andy Marte. And the Braves were able to get a guy, who for all but one season, had really been one of the better shortstops in the game and fits their ball club perfectly.”

Chances Not Good For a Clemens ReturnProspect Props: Andy Marte is a KeeperWill It Be Lugo at Short and Reed in Center?Manny Has Time to Report to Spring TrainingThe Best Offense and the Best Defense: Youk's On FirstTheo Would Have Traded Rent-a-Wreck, Lost Damon TooTejada Trade Talks Stalled, Best Guess is Still Miggy at ShortTop Dog: Nixon's the One to Be in Shape, Have Big Year

"Tejada's numbers will increase because of the lineup around him. But I think Manny is born to play in Baltimore. He's a right centerfield hitter. His greatest power has been minimized by fenway park. I can easily see him hitting 50 homers in Camden Yards. In my mind, as great a player as Tejada is, if the Orioles can get Ramirez and Clement, I personally think they would be crazy to turn it down."-- 01.04.06, Peter Gammons, Boston.com chat

Francona: What's the guy's name on first base?
Larry: No. What is in center.
Francona: I'm not asking you who's in center.
Larry: Who's on first.
Francona: I don't know.
Larry: He's at short, we're not talking about him.
Francona: Now how did I get to shortstop?
Larry: Why you mentioned his name.
Francona: If I mentioned the shortstop’s name, who did I say is playing short?
Larry: No. Who's playing first.
Francona: What's on first?
Larry: What's in center.
Francona: I don't know.
Larry: He's at short.
Francona: There I go, back to shortstop again!

"At the moment, the Red Sox look like a team that could finish third behind the Yankees and Blue Jays in the American League East. The White Sox, Indians, Athletics and Angels appear to have better chances of making the playoffs -- and the Twins, with their pitching potential, could contend if they can find a way to score runs." -- 1.3.06, Peter Gammons ESPN.com Insider

"The financial issues in the Epstein negotiations did not get resolved until nearly 48 hours before his old contract was to expire, which did not give the GM and CEO time to work out other issues -- most of which involved Lucchino loyalists, who the baseball-operations folks believe have undermined the situation, sourced countless leaks and (with their attempts to make Lucchino look good) roved over Epstein and the baseball staff."

"If Theo had been the GM, he likely would have gone to the club's ceiling of $45 million for four years the weekend of the winter meetings, and if Boras did not back off his (then) seven-year demand, would have called off the negotiations and done the Jeremy Reed deal with Seattle in Dallas when the Mariners thought they could get Juan Pierre from Florida."

"Epstein's view is that without a $200 million payroll, it is practically impossible in the American League East to win 95-100 games every year. The goal is to be in position to make that run seven or eight out of 10 years, which means that about once every five years they have to step back and, in Lucchino's words, 'retool. Not rebuild, retool.'"

"Trading Ramirez to Baltimore -- which would also include Matt Clement -- for Miguel Tejada could be determined later this week. It has long been fueled on the Tejada end by his close friend, David Ortiz. It does not in any way include a four-way creation of a Mets fan's Internet fantasy."

"'If I were to wager a guess today,' says an Oriole executive, 'it would be that Manny opens the season with the Red Sox and Tejada is with the Orioles. As far as I'm concerned, Tejada is one of the five best players in the game. His contract ($12 million annual average value) was signed in a down market, as opposed to Manny's ($20 million annual average value), which was signed in an inflationary market. If Tejada went on the market this winter, he'd probably get between $14 million and $16 million a year.'" -- 1.3.06, Peter Gammons ESPN.com Insider

"According to sources, the Baltimore Orioles would like to decide the fate of shortstop Miguel Tejada within the next several days. Among the possible trade partners with Baltimore are the Red Sox, who are offering outfielder Manny Ramirez and pitcher Matt Clement in exchange for Tejada and an outfielder, who could be 22-year-old prospect Nick Markakis."-- 1.3.06, Boston Herald

"The Orioles' losing out on Burnitz would inevitably lead to more speculation about a potential deal with the Boston Red Sox involving left fielder Manny Ramirez. Boston has offered Ramirez and pitcher Matt Clement for disgruntled shortstop Miguel Tejada. The Orioles are still talking to several teams about Tejada to gauge other offers, but the Red Sox are believed to be one of the front runners to land the All-Star shortstop and former Most Valuable Player. The Orioles are considering offers for Tejada and are expected to either accept one or decide to keep him by late this week or early next week."-- 1.3.06, Baltimore Sun

"As for Tejada, the Cubs and Orioles didn't negotiate over the holiday weekend, but that should change in the next couple days. The Cubs would like to know where the Orioles stand so a resolution can be reached one way or another within the next week. There has been speculation in Baltimore that Orioles management plans to take a hard look this week at various trade proposals for their disenchanted superstar and decide once and for all if they want to make a move. The Cubs have made it clear that they wouldn't trade Mark Prior in a one-for-one deal for Tejada, but they would be willing to make Prior part of a package as long as they get a starting pitcher such as Erik Bedard in the swap."-- 1.3.06, Chicago Sun Times

FWIW: More Trade Fodder from an Orioles Fan Site

"The word is the Tejada-Ramirez/Clement trade has been agreed to in principle by the two teams blocked only at this time with last minute complications caused by Manny. Assuming these are ironed out the O's will have to make additional moves."

"The Manny extension demand would require the O's to pay an additional $40million over two more years. It all is negotiations and would Manny agree to one more year and/or would the O's do that? Who knows? The O's won't do the two years." -- 1.1.06, Wild Bill, Orioles Hangout Community

"The Manny extension demand would require the O's to pay an additional $40million over two more years. It all is negotiations and would Manny agree to one more year and/or would the O's do that? Who knows? The O's won't do the two years."-- 1.1.06, bigbird, Orioles Hangout Community

BDD Update: If Manny Gets Traded to BaltimoreHis Contract Won't Be a Problem

The “Curt’s Pitch
for ALS” program is a joint effort by Curt and Shonda Schilling and The
ALS Association Mass Chapter to strike out Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

For the fourth consecutive year, SHADE Foundation of America will be represented at the Boston Marathon by a team raising funds for SHADE. SHADE is currently seeking marathon runners to join the team . For more information on running with Shonda Schilling on SHADE’s team or sponsoring runners, please visit SHADE's marathon page here.The SHADE Foundation thanks Red Sox Nation for joining in their fight to save future generations from melanoma.